James Cameron has a backup plan for Avatar: Fire and Ash if it fails to generate sufficient revenue

James Cameron, the director behind the Avatar franchise, has a contingency plan in case the upcoming installment doesnt achieve blockbuster success. Speaking on The Town podcast with Matt Belloni, Cameron discussed what he would do if Avatar: Fire and Ash fails to generate enough revenue for Disney to proceed with the fourth and fifth films.

Cameron admitted he has been immersed in the world of Avatar for three decades and is well aware of the complexities involved in producing a movie with a massive budget, though he did not reveal the production cost for Fire and Ash. He said, I have no doubt this movie will make money. The question is, does it make enough to justify continuing the series? He added, If this is where it ends, cool.

However, there is one storyline in the third film that remains unresolved. Addressing this, Cameron revealed, Theres one open thread. Ill write a book!

When asked about the possibility of someone else taking over the franchise, Cameron was clear: I dont think thered ever be a version where theres another Avatar movie that I didnt produce closely.

The original Avatar (2009) holds the title of the highest-grossing film ever, earning nearly $3 billion, while the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), collected $2.3 billion. The first two films introduced audiences to the Omaticaya and Metkayina Navi clans, peaceful tribes who defend their lands only when provoked by humans.

In Fire and Ash, Cameron plans to show a different, more aggressive side of these tribes, called the Ash people. He told Frances 20 Minutes earlier this year: I want to show the Navi from another angle because, so far, I have only shown their good sides.

At an April screening, Cameron explained that the main characters face intense challenges in the new film. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) tells Neytiri (Zoe Saldana): We cannot live like this we cannot live with this hate. Cameron also expressed hope that the film will support theater owners recovering from the pandemic and the rise of streaming services.

Following Fire and Ash, two more Avatar films are planned, scheduled for December 2029 and December 2031. Avatar: Fire and Ash is set to premiere in theaters on December 19, 2025.

James Cameron's Contingency Plan for the Avatar Franchise: A Clear-Eyed Approach

James Cameron has always been a visionary filmmaker, but his approach to the future of the Avatar series reveals a pragmatic side. With the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash on the horizon, Cameron is already considering the potential for the franchise's future beyond this installment. Despite the previous films' massive financial success, he acknowledges the risk of Fire and Ash not meeting the revenue expectations required to justify the next two films in the series. His comment, "If this is where it ends, cool," underscores his acceptance of the unpredictability of the film industry.

Even with the high stakes, Cameron’s mindset remains grounded. He recognizes the challenges of producing a movie with such a high budget, though he has not disclosed the cost of Fire and Ash. His confidence in the film’s financial success is clear, but the question remains whether it will be enough to sustain the grand vision for the remaining films. The director’s openness about the potential conclusion of the series indicates a preparedness to pivot if necessary.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this next film is the introduction of the "Ash people," a more aggressive faction of the Na’vi. This shift in character portrayal reflects Cameron’s desire to expand the world of Pandora and explore new narrative dimensions. While the first two films showcased the Na’vi’s peaceful nature, this new direction could offer a fresh perspective on the indigenous tribes of Pandora. However, it remains to be seen if audiences will embrace this darker turn.

For now, the film industry, theaters in particular, is banking on Fire and Ash to help recover from the losses suffered during the pandemic and the growth of streaming services. With its December 2025 release, Cameron's latest project stands as a significant test not only for the Avatar franchise but for the broader cinematic landscape.

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• James Cameron says he has a plan if Avatar: Fire and Ash doesn’t make enough money